[aqualung8705]

I have full Medicaid. I had a stroke back in 2015. I live at St. Joseph's Rehab. I also get SSI, but I only $30 out of the $735 they issue me each month for being in a skilled nursing facility.

[NLVgal]

And Sierra, now United Healthcare is now further entrenching their monopoly. The RJ reported on the latest effort. It’s going to work. I thought I had ridden the valley of United Healthcare back when I rallied my patients and the insurance commission made them pay a quarter of a million in back claims payments. They left the valley shortly after that, but came back and bought Sierra.

They later hired me as a consultant.

[lvmensch]

The Admiral and I have full medicare with plan F through Anthem BC. Costs us about $1,000 a month for both of us.

Interestingly enough I never spent a single dime on health insurance until I went on Medicare. The Admiral never did either.

[NLVgal]

Originally Posted by lvmensch

The Admiral and I have full medicare with plan F through Anthem BC. Costs us about $1,000 a month for both of us.

Interestingly enough I never spent a single dime on health insurance until I went on Medicare. The Admiral never did either.

That’s because your employer was likely paying for most of the premium. If we all jumped in the same risk pool, costs would go down. Also, the insurance companies are taking a very big cut. You can trust me on that one like I would defer to you on the MLS.

I could dig up links on the overhead costs and prove it, but I’ve seen it first hand and don’t feel like doing research right now.

Traditional Medicare, plus a supplement like AARP is my recommended plan for seniors. You can go to any provider, no referral required. None of this “ primary care physician “ BS.

Medicare is a classic 80/20 with a small deductible. You can choose to buy supplemental coverage, or not, depending on your financial situation and risk tolerance.

[lvmensch]

Originally Posted by NLVgal

That’s because your employer was likely paying for most of the premium. If we all jumped in the same risk pool, costs would go down. Also, the insurance companies are taking a very big cut. You can trust me on that one like I would defer to you on the MLS.

I could dig up links on the overhead costs and prove it, but I’ve seen it first hand and don’t feel like doing research right now.

Traditional Medicare, plus a supplement like AARP is my recommended plan for seniors. You can go to any provider, no referral required. None of this “ primary care physician “ BS.

Medicare is a classic 80/20 with a small deductible. You can choose to buy supplemental coverage, or not, depending on your financial situation and risk tolerance.

I need a supplemental plan. I bill between 50k and 100k every year. Half of our out of pocket costs are prescription...and that is after we play games using Canada.

I would think the evidence we should go single payer is over powering. But, unfortunately, that does not settle the issue.

[NLVgal]

A supplement is different than a managed care plan, which you have. The managed care plan sometimes is the right choice depending on finances. A supplement fills the gap in traditional Medicare without adding the managed care element. They can be expensive, depending on your coverage level.

At least you picked a good company. I know, because until last week, I worked for them.

[jjameson922]

The max out of pocket when you are a senior and using Medicare is so much higher than if you switch to an alternative. I.E., United, Anthem, etc. For quite a few years I was Caremore and very happy until Anthem bought them out. I have no costs monthly for using the alternative and max out of pocket in a year is $2,500. No charge for PCP appt.s and only $35 for specialists. I have noticed now that it is Anthem, I have a much higher deductible on scripts.

[NLVgal]

Originally Posted by jjameson922

The max out of pocket when you are a senior and using Medicare is so much higher than if you switch to an alternative. I.E., United, Anthem, etc. For quite a few years I was Caremore and very happy until Anthem bought them out. I have no costs monthly for using the alternative and max out of pocket in a year is $2,500. No charge for PCP appt.s and only $35 for specialists. I have noticed now that it is Anthem, I have a much higher deductible on scripts.

Care More has always sucked. A referral required for a simple chest X-ray that costs next to nothing? This is the overhead I’ve been bitching about.

At Sierra, Anthem et all, we had great benefits and subsidized lunch. I’m done with insurance companies.

Doctors and nurses bust their asses for a living. Insurance companies stroll around and rake in the cash.